United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “wounded and likely disfigured.”
Speaking during a briefing, Hegseth said the Iranian leader recently released a written statement but did not appear in a video or audio message.
He questioned why the statement attributed to Khamenei was released only in written form despite Iran having access to cameras and recording equipment.
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The claim has not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed that Khamenei was seriously injured.
Reports about the leader’s condition emerged amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its regional adversaries.
Security analysts say statements from both sides should be treated cautiously as governments often deploy information campaigns during conflicts.
Observers note that public appearances by Iranian leaders are closely watched during periods of instability because they signal political control and leadership continuity.
